e ever friendly with father?" I asked.

"He respected him much, though he thought him greatly mistaken. You
see, their ideas were altogether opposed, but in private life each
esteemed the other."

Presently, remembering that the Royalists no longer held Lima, I said,
"What has become of little Rosa? I hope our people have not disturbed
her, though it must be lonely for her living in that great house alone.
Could she not have come to you?"

"There was no need," and my mother's lips curled scornfully; "she is
safe enough with her father."

"With her father?" I echoed, in astonishment. "How can he take a
delicate child like that into a rough camp?"

"His house is not a rough camp, Juan!"

The truth did not strike me at first, so I said innocently, "Oh, has he
been wounded and obtained permission to be nursed at home? Is he
seriously hurt?"

"He is quite well, I believe, and is one of us."

"Felipe Montilla turned _Patriot_?" I cried in amazement.

Now let me not be misunderstood. I honestly believed our cause just.
In my small way I had ventured my life for the independence of Peru,
and was quite ready to venture it again. But this man had boasted his
loyalty to the Spanish king, had fought under his flag, had taken high
rank in his army! He had accepted from him both honours and broad
lands, and then at the first reverse in his fortunes had slunk away
like a whipped cur.

"A fig for such Patriots!" cried I hotly. "Were I San Martin, he
should be whipped back to the men he has deserted. Give me a loyal
friend or a stout enemy, I care not which; but these _jellyfish_--bah!
they are an abomination."

"You are young, my boy, and not quite wise enough to understand these
things. Is it not to Don Felipe's credit that he should openly confess
his mistake?"

"And save his estates into the bargain," said I wrathfully. "Let the
Spaniards get the upper hand, and you will find him back in their ranks
quickly enough."

"A man must follow the guiding of his conscience, even if it lead to
his advantage," remarked my mother quietly. "But if you are indignant
with Don Felipe, you will be equally delighted with Rosa. She is still
Loyalist to the core, and makes no secret of it. She told San Martin
the other day that he was a busybody, meddling in affairs that did not
concern him, and that the people of Peru could settle their disputes
without his interference."

"Bravo, Rosa!" I cried, with a laugh; "there